If you’re looking to spend a weekend in Amsterdam, you’ve come to the right place! In this guide I cover everything you need to know about visiting Amsterdam over the weekend – including how to get there, things to do in Amsterdam, restaurant and hotel recommendations, and what I didn’t like about this otherwise fun and whimsical city!
Is it worth going to Amsterdam for the weekend?
Yes! Amsterdam is an easy plane or train ride from nearby cities such as Paris and London, with plenty to see and explore over a weekend. Popular things to do include seeing the Dutch Masters at the Rijksmuseum; exploring the Van Gogh Museum; and checking out Amsterdam’s beautiful neighborhoods.
Is two nights in Amsterdam enough?
Although it’s a major city in Europe, the city center is small and walkable – perfect for a weekend getaway. I would visit again anytime, and will definitely return for a two-night weekend trip.
How to Get to Amsterdam
Europe has a fantastic train system that makes it easy to travel throughout the EU. This is how I got to and from Amsterdam and it was perfect! We started in Paris, took the train to Bruges, then continued on to Amsterdam. There are direct trains to and from Amsterdam’s central train station, Amsterdam Centraal, from a number of cities including Antwerp, Berlin, Brussels, London, Paris, Rotterdam and Zurich.
Amsterdam is also a quick, one hour, 20-minute flight from Paris, and a one hour, 15-minute flight from London. There are also convenient direct flights from other cities throughout Europe. If you’re flying internationally, KLM Royal Dutch Airlines is based in the Netherlands with its main hub at Amsterdam Airport Schiphol (AMS). KLM flies direct to and from Amsterdam from 150 destinations including Boston, Calgary, Dubai, Houston, Mexico City, Minneapolis, New York (JFK) and beyond.
Things to Do During a Weekend in Amsterdam
From Van Gogh to the Red Light District, there’s something in Amsterdam for everyone. Below are a few of the most popular attractions to enjoy during a weekend in Amsterdam – including one I missed because I didn’t get tickets in time.
Visit the Rijksmuseum
The Rijksmuseum is truly a world-class museum, housing notable European art and Dutch masters such as Rembrandt. You’ll also find recognizable paintings such as Johannes Vermeer’s The Milkmaid and Jan Asselijn’s The Threatened Swan. I particularly enjoyed the painting above, the famous Still Life with Flowers in a Glass Vase by Rachel Ruysch, one of the few female painters of her time who painted under her own name.
The Rijksmuseum is open daily with ticketed admission; find more information on the Rijksmuseum here.
Explore Amsterdam’s Neighborhoods
Don’t miss the following neighborhoods: De 9 Straatjes, Jordaan, and Oud-West:
- De 9 Straatjes: In English, this translates to The Nine Streets, referring to a grid of nine streets. This neighborhood is classic Amsterdam with a canal on every block. Some gems in this neighborhood include Proeflokaal A. van Wees, serving Dutch food and drink, and Van Stapele Koekmakerij, with their famous chocolate cookies and whimsical storefront.
- Jordaan: Here, you’ll find gorgeous, 17th-century canal houses surrounded by cozy coffee shops, restaurants and boutiques. You’ll also find the Van Gogh Museum and Anne Frank House in this neighborhood.
- Oud-West: A gorgeous, upscale neighborhood with an Old World feel. You’ll find some of the best shopping and dining in Amsterdam in this neighborhood, including my favorite restaurant, Gertrude, and Foodhallen, an incredible food hall – more on both below!
Honor Victims of the Holocaust
Honor victims of the Holocaust at the National Holocaust Museum and the Anne Frank House. Because of their size – both museums are very small – and popularity, you’ll want to purchase timed entry tickets in advance. See the National Holocaust Museum website and Anne Frank House website for more information.
See the Van Gogh Museum – But Get Tickets EARLY!
Imagine my surprise when I went online to buy a ticket the same week I hoped to visit, and found this museum sold out for weeks. So, needless to say, if you’re heading to Amsterdam and have any desire to see the Van Gogh Museum – buy your timed entry ticket online as early as possible! (And let me know how it is!)
Explore the Royal Palace Amsterdam
This magnificent, 17th-century building was originally built as Amsterdam’s city hall, and was converted into a palace in the early 1800s. Because the Netherlands, like England and Spain, has a working royal family, the palace is still used to host foreign heads of state and other royals. It’s open to the public as much as possible when not in use, and is truly a spectacular place to visit. You can find more information and purchase tickets here.
Enjoy a Gouda Cheese Tasting
Gouda cheese has been produced in the Netherlands since the 12th century, and Amsterdam is a great place to sample this delish cheese! Enjoy a walking tour and taste Gouda on the go; join a canal tour that includes a Gouda tasting; or visit a specialty shop for a guided tasting.
Where to Eat in Amsterdam
Amsterdam is a great place to enjoy food from around the world, as well as local novelties such as the Stroopwafel, a waffle cookie with a syrupy center.
My very favorite restaurant in Amsterdam is Gertrude, pictured above. With handwritten menus, natural wine and imaginative small places, Gertrude is a four-year-old restaurant with an old soul. I’d describe it as warm and cozy with Old World charm. Definitely a can’t-miss spot in Amsterdam.
Gertrude
Bosboom Toussaintstraat 28-H, 1054 AS Amsterdam, Netherlands
Visit their website (in Dutch only; reservation functionality is in English)
I celebrated my 40th birthday with a more formal dinner at The Duchess, located in the W Hotel. This beautiful restaurant also has a tea room that I’d love to visit next time.
The Duchess
Spuistraat 172, 1012 VT Amsterdam, Netherlands
Visit their website
Another favorite spot is Foodhallen, a bright, eclectic food hall with 19 vendors. Here you’ll find everything from fried chicken to Mumbai street food to French pastries. A perfect spot for lunch.
Foodhallen
Hannie Dankbaarpassage 16, 1053 RT Amsterdam, Netherlands
Visit their website
Finally, you can’t spend a weekend in Amsterdam without enjoying local sweets such as Stroopwafels at van Wonderen Stroopwafels and the chocolate cookies at Van Stapele.
Best Places to Stay for a Weekend in Amsterdam
I’ve stayed at the Andaz Amsterdam and Kimpton de Witt; both were incredibly welcoming and comfortable; I did slightly prefer the more tucked-away location at the Andaz. Here’s more information on the Andaz as well as other solid choices in Amsterdam:
Amstel Hotel
Luxurious, 5-star hotel that has welcomed heads of state, the Rolling Stones, and U2
Professor Tulpplein 1, 1018 GX Amsterdam, Netherlands
Check current rates
Andaz Amsterdam
Colorful, whimsical 5-star property in a renovated public library; includes a beautiful outdoor garden
Prinsengracht 587, 1016 HT Amsterdam, Netherlands
Check current rates
Tivoli Doelen Amsterdam
A stunning 17th-century property that has been renovated with modern amenities; includes a guilded, palatial lobby
Nieuwe Doelenstraat 26, 1012 CP Amsterdam, Netherlands
Check current rates
What I Didn’t Like About Amsterdam
I loved Amsterdam and am already daydreaming about my next visit. One thing that was really surprising to me though was the lack of public spaces, especially in such an eco-friendly city. In Rome, for example, you have a number of public squares with public seating. In Paris, you have the Luxembourg and Tuileries gardens, as well as the lawn of the Eiffel Tower and benches and green spaces along the Seine. Amsterdam didn’t seem to have many public spaces, which meant we often returned to our hotel if we had downtime. The city DOES have a gorgeous, 120-acre park, Vondelpark, but I would have loved more places to relax in between activities.
A Weekend in Amsterdam: In Conclusion
I hope you enjoyed this post on a weekend in Amsterdam! If you love to travel, you may enjoy my posts on Italy, France, Belgium, Austria or destinations in the United States. You can also find me on Instagram.
